City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Spearfish, SD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Spearfish - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

12,551
Residents
$59,731
Median income
$309,200
Median home
$1,046
Median rent (state)

Spearfish - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Spearfish places in the 35th percentile for household income and the 30th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
66th
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
30th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Spearfish, SD

Spearfish is a small town in South Dakota, home to 12,551 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Spearfish households earn a median of $59,731 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.7%. Spearfish's housing stock carries a median value of $309,200, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. Educational attainment runs 43.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 99 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 50% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2086.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Spearfish's yearly average temperature at 46.5°F with 21.4 inches of precipitation per year and 70.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Dakota scores 88.6 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,046 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across South Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 49.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

12,551 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$59,731 /yr

Poverty 7.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Spearfish compare to other US cities?

Where Spearfish sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 66% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 30% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just South Dakota and the picture shifts: Spearfish ranks #26 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Spearfish's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in South Dakota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

35thIncome percentile
30thSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 30th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Spearfish's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Spearfish's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Spearfish's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Spearfish's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$309,200 34th percentile more affordable than 34% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Spearfish $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Spearfish, SD Spearfish, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Spearfish, SD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Spearfish, SD median $59,731/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Spearfish, SD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Spearfish, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 43.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
12,551
Median Income
$59,731
Median Home Value
$309,200
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Labor force participation
63.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
43.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2086.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
263.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1823.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
21.4"
Annual Snowfall
70.5"

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,000 residents13,000 residents14,000 residents15,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,239 residents 14,154 residents ▲ +15.6%
Spearfish's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
99
housing units authorized
Single-Family
86
detached homes
Multifamily
13
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 66
2020 101
2021 191
2022 145
2023 258
2024 99

Permit volume increased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.6%
Carpool
6.4%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
6.0%
Work from Home
5.5%

Based on 6,602 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Dakota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a South Dakota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Spearfish sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,046/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
49.3 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Box Elder
12,457 people
Vermillion
11,800 people
Pierre
14,008 people
Brandon
10,996 people
Huron
14,347 people
Yankton
15,501 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Spearfish's 12,551 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mendota, CA
12,554 people
Windsor Locks, CT
12,555 people
Northlake, IL
12,547 people
Artesia, NM
12,555 people
Poquoson, VA
12,556 people
North Merrick, NY
12,544 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Spearfish's $59,731 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Westville, IN
$59,732 median income
Chino Valley, AZ
$59,733 median income
West Brookfield, MA
$59,734 median income
Jackson Center, OH
$59,728 median income
Virgil, NY
$59,735 median income
Crugers, NY
$59,737 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Spearfish, SD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Spearfish, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.1% White 87.8% Black or African American 0.7% Asian 0.5% American Indian 3.4% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 5.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Spearfish compares to nearby South Dakota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Spearfish (this city) 12,551 $59,731
Box Elder 12,457 $73,698
Vermillion 11,800 $52,815
Pierre 14,008 $74,053
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Spearfish, SD?

What is the population of Spearfish, SD? +

The population of Spearfish, SD stands at 12,551 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Spearfish, SD? +

Spearfish households earn a median of $59,731 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Spearfish? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Spearfish; the closest available measure is the South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

Is Spearfish, SD safe? +

Spearfish has a total crime rate of 2086.8 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Spearfish, SD? +

The median home value in Spearfish is $309,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Spearfish? +

Spearfish has an average annual temperature of 46.5°F, 21.4 inches of precipitation, and 70.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.